Vehicle

Windows

Darkness

Results

Step 01 / 04

Select Your Vehicle

Choose your make and model to get accurate window count and sizing.

Select Make

Your State

Select your state to check legal tint limits for each window.

Step 02 / 04

Choose Windows to Tint

Select which windows you want tinted. Each affects cost differently.

Window Selection

Step 03 / 04

Set Tint Darkness & Film

Choose your VLT % and film quality. We'll check your state's legal limits.

Visible Light Transmission (VLT %)

Tint Darkness 35%

5% (Limo)20%35%50%70%90% (Clear)

Medium Tint

Good heat rejection and privacy. Most popular choice.

● Checking...

Film Quality

Step 04 / 04

Your Tint Estimate

Full cost breakdown with legal limit check for your state.

—

Windows

—

VLT Darkness

—

Legal Status

Window-by-Window Breakdown

State Legal Limits

LIVE ESTIMATE

Estimated Total

* Prices vary by installer, region & vehicle.

Window Tint Calculator
Find Your Cost and Legal VLT in Seconds

Wondering how much it costs to tint your car windows and whether your chosen darkness is even legal in your state? Our free window tint calculator gives you both answers instantly. Select your vehicle, pick which windows to tint, choose your VLT percentage, and get a full window-by-window cost estimate with a real-time legal limit check for all 50 states. No guessing. No calling shops. No surprises.

States Covered

Film Quality Tiers

Window Types

Free

No Signup Needed

How Much Does Window Tinting Cost?

Window tint prices depend on three things: which windows you tint, the film quality you choose, and your location. A basic dye film full car tint runs $150 to $300. A premium ceramic tint on the same vehicle can cost $500 to $900. Our calculator breaks down cost per window so you know exactly what you are paying for.

What VLT % Is Right for You?

VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission, the percentage of light that passes through the tint film. Lower VLT means darker tint. 5% is limo black. 35% is the most popular choice offering a balance of privacy and heat rejection. 70% is nearly clear, mainly for UV protection. If you are also thinking about protecting your paint, check our Ceramic Coating Calculator.

Window Tint Darkness Chart – VLT % Guide

Use this chart to find the right tint darkness for your needs before using the calculator above.

VLT %	Darkness Level	Best For	Legal (Front)
5%	Limo Black	Maximum privacy, limos, rear windows only	Illegal in most states
15%	Very Dark	High privacy, heat rejection, rear windows	Illegal for front in most states
20%	Dark Tint	Privacy + UV block, popular for rear windows	Legal in some states
35%	Medium Tint ⭐	Most popular – great balance of privacy and heat	Legal in most states
50%	Light Tint	Subtle look, UV protection, widely legal	Legal in nearly all states
70%	Very Light	Barely visible, UV and glare protection only	Legal everywhere

Window Tint Laws by State

Front side window legal limits vary significantly by state. Use the calculator above to check your exact state.

State	Front Side Min VLT	Rear Side	Rear Window
California	70% min	Any	Any
Texas	25% min	25% min	Any
Florida	28% min	15% min	15% min
New York	70% min	70% min	70% min
Illinois	35% min	35% min	35% min
Georgia	32% min	32% min	32% min
Arizona	33% min	Any	Any
Colorado	27% min	27% min	27% min
Virginia	50% min	35% min	35% min
Washington	24% min	24% min	24% min

What Is Included in Your Tint Estimate?

Every estimate from our window tint calculator includes a window-by-window cost breakdown covering each individual pane of glass you select, base installation cost per window, film quality upgrade multiplier, total cost with realistic price range, and a legal status check for each window type against your state’s actual VLT limits. Already wrapped your car? Pair tint with a Vinyl Wrap for a complete custom look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to tint car windows?

A full car window tint costs between $150 and $900 depending on the number of windows, film quality, and your location. Basic dye film runs $150 to $300 for a full car. Carbon film runs $250 to $500. Ceramic film, the best quality, typically costs $400 to $900. Individual windows like a windshield strip or single side window cost $40 to $80 each.

What is VLT and what percentage should I choose?

VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. It measures how much light passes through the tint film. Lower VLT means darker tint. 35% VLT is the most popular choice for front side windows. It offers a great balance of privacy, heat rejection, and legality across most US states. For rear windows, many people go darker at 20% or 15% since rear window laws are more lenient.

What is the legal tint limit in my state?

Tint laws vary significantly by state. California and New York require 70% VLT on front side windows, meaning almost no tint is allowed on the front. Texas allows 25% VLT on front sides. Florida allows 28%. States like Arizona and Colorado allow any darkness on rear windows. Use our calculator above to check your exact state’s limits for every window type.

What is the difference between dye, carbon, and ceramic tint?

Dye film is the most affordable option at $150 to $300 for a full car. It provides good appearance but fades over time and offers limited heat rejection. Carbon film costs $250 to $500 and does not fade. It also provides better heat rejection than dye. Ceramic film is the premium option at $400 to $900. It offers the best heat and UV rejection, does not interfere with GPS or phone signals, and typically comes with a lifetime warranty.

How long does window tint last?

Basic dye film lasts 3 to 5 years before fading or bubbling. Carbon film lasts 5 to 7 years. Ceramic film from quality brands like XPEL, 3M, or Llumar can last 10+ years with proper care. Always use a reputable installer. Poor installation is the most common cause of early failure regardless of film quality.

Does window tint reduce heat inside the car?

Yes, significantly. Standard dye film blocks around 35 to 45% of solar heat. Carbon film blocks 50 to 60%. Ceramic film blocks up to 80% of infrared heat even at high VLT percentages like 70%. This means you can have a nearly clear window that still dramatically reduces cabin heat, making ceramic tint popular in hot climates where dark tints are not legally allowed on front windows.

Does window tint affect GPS or phone signal?

Metallic and reflective tint films can interfere with GPS, cell signals, and toll transponders. Carbon and ceramic tints do not. They use non-metallic technology that is fully signal-transparent. If you use GPS or have a toll pass, choose carbon or ceramic film and avoid metalized or chrome tints.